The French are accustomed to "la Bise", to greet each other, a custom that can amuse or disturb foreigners who are not accustomed to this kind of physical contact. Here is some information about this practice.
The French are accustomed to "la Bise", to greet each other, a custom that can amuse or disturb foreigners who are not accustomed to this kind of physical contact. Here is some information about this practice.
Why do we Kiss?
If several researchers have looked at the issue, no one has succeeded in determining the exact origin of this custom. Contrary to what one may think, the the kiss on the cheek does not come from our contemporary culture but goes back to antiquity. It is indeed the Romans who made it a social code. The practice was stopped in the 14th century in order to avoid the spread of the plague. After being banished from being practiced in public in the 19th, it was brought back into fashion in May 1968.
Who do we kiss?
"La bise" is an art and there are subtleties. We don't kiss everyone! The kiss is mostly between friends and family, in an informal context, and also among colleagues.
Note that women can kiss both men and women, while men rarely kiss each other, even though it has become more and more common.
Another tricky question: the number.
Indeed it is specific to each and everyone and varies according to the regions or even cities. A real headache, even for the French!
In general you kiss the right cheek first and, in most regions, you kiss 2 times, but this number can rise to 3 or even 4 kisses. A website has published a cartography of the number of kisses by region.
Have fun with this tradition by watching the video that the Frenchman of adoption Paul Taylor dedicates to it.
Jessica from Comme des Français
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